CITY OF OLATHE NEWSLETTER LIN K OOlathe Relsidaents’ tNuhember One Source for City of Olathe Information –DirectionFinder ® EARLY SPRING 2018

Your Feedback Helps Guide Quality City Services The City of Olathe seeks feedback from residents in a number projects. This resulted in a joint effort between the Public Works of ways, one of which is the DirectionFinder® citizen survey. and Police Departments to increase awareness and improve You may be familiar with the survey or even completed one. safety in these accident-prone areas. Residents have provided feedback through these statistically- In addition to DirectionFinder® surveys, the City of Olathe is valid surveys since 2000. using other tools to get citizen input. For example, following “The citizen survey is a critical guidance tool for us as we invest neighborhood street resurfacing projects, residents are asked and apply resources in areas citizens say are most important,” to rate the project. The near real-time feedback is important to says City Manager Michael Wilkes. ensure the City is improving and contractors are meeting the City’s standards. In 2013, the frequency of citizen surveys increased from annually to quarterly, allowing better tracking and the ability for greater Citizen information collected about streets and other services proactive measures when necessary. is incorporated in Olathe’s performance measures, available at: OlatheKS.org/Government/Performance-Management. An “We want to know: Are citizens satisfied? Have their priorities Olathe Performs public dashboard is updated quarterly. shifted?” says Wilkes. “If we notice a trend of decreasing satisfaction in an area, the increased feedback gives City Users of the citizen request service, OlatheConnect, are departments flexibility to correct the issue sooner than later.” requested to complete a brief five-question survey to ensure requests for service and information are resolved adequately Tell Us More and in a timely manner. Through citizen feedback mechanisms, data, and analytics, Your resident feedback helps enhance your customer experience City departments have more information to work collaboratively, and improve service delivery. solving problems to provide residents better services. For example, a discussion about non-injury accident rates revealed Coming in the Spring Olathe Link: How City of Olathe there was a correlation of accident rates with construction Services Rate - Nationally and Locally

Inside This Issue Mayor’s Message ...... 2 What’s Being Built in Olathe ...... 5 Your Olathe City Council ...... 3 Olathe Earth News ...... 6-7 Find additional Olathe news Indian Creek Library Schedule ...... 4 Special Events Coming Soon ...... 8 at OlatheKS.org . Click on NEWS. Mayor’s Message School Partnerships Benefit Youth and Our Future One of the best things about Olathe is the growing collaboration among our community partners. I’m particularly grateful for the City’s partnerships with Olathe Public Schools, which are bringing additional educational opportunities to help keep our talented youth here in our community. In recent years, we’ve expanded our school partnerships to include more involvement in 21st Century Academies at our public high schools, including the new Public Safety Academy at . We couldn’t be happier that Third grade classes visit Public Works. enrollment in the Academy has exceeded expectations, and we have the opportunity to “home grow” our future police, fire, interactive experiences for students, who learn how to “stop, drop, and emergency medical professionals. and roll,” develop home fire escape plans, and discover the importance of smoke alarms. Third graders also participate in the “Learning About Olathe” program, now in its 13th year. Students make day-long field trips to City Hall and the Public Works Department, taking part in a mock City Council meeting and learning about City services and equipment. We are proud of our Communities That Care (CTC) Coalition, representing organizations like Johnson County Government, Olathe Health, Olathe Public Schools, and the faith-based community. CTC supports community leaders working to encourage positive youth development and address underage Public Safety Academy drinking, prescription drug misuse, and suicide prevention. Internships are also offered in departments throughout our City The City’s assistance with the new Civic Leadership Academy organization, providing students valuable experience and at Olathe East High School is vital to our community, as we interaction in the workplace. These are a few examples of our help give youth a greater understanding of the importance and successful school partnerships, and you can learn about many nobility of public service careers. Our professional City staff more at OlatheKS.org/Government/Collaboration. As our participate in community discussions related to finance, planning, community continues to evolve, rest assured that Olathe will and leadership, helping prepare students for public service and continue seeking ways to support our youth through partnerships . legal studies. We are also exploring opportunities to work It’s one of the greatest investments we can make in Olathe’s future. collaboratively with students and universities to support the new Green Tech Academy at Olathe West High School. Sincerely, The Fire and Police Departments’ third-grade education program provides memorable fire and life safety lessons, with tools including a traveling fire safety house and workbook Michael Copeland containing life-saving information. The program offers Mayor

2 OlatheKS.org Your Olathe City Council Olathe City Councilmembers, front row seated, from left: Wes McCoy, Ward 3; Michael Copeland, Mayor; and John Bacon, At Large. Back row standing, from left: Karin Brownlee, At Large; Jim Randall, Ward 2 and Mayor Pro Tem; Marge Vogt, Ward 4; and Larry Campbell, Ward 1.

The City of Olathe is recognized as one of the 2018 Healthiest Employers honorees by the City Business Journal. The honor focuses on organizations’ commitment to overall employee wellbeing. This is the third consecutive year the City of Olathe was selected a finalist for the Healthiest Employers Award in the 500-1,499 employees category.

Important City Phone Numbers Larry Campbell Olathe Ward 1 Regular Business Hours: City Council 913-488-7278 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. [email protected] Except for Emergency 911, and unless otherwise noted OlatheKS.org/ServicesDirectory Michael Copeland Jim Randall Mayor Ward 2 EMERGENCY ...... 911 OLATHE PUBLIC LIBRARY 913-971-8500 and Mayor Pro Tem 201 E. Park St...... 971-6850 (City office) 913-424-3999 Emergency TDD/TTY Calls ...... 911 13511 S. Mur-Len Rd...... 971-6835 [email protected] [email protected] GENERAL INFORMATION (TDD/Voice) ....971-8600 PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT John Bacon Wes McCoy CUSTOMER SERVICE OLATHE COMMUNITY CENTER At Large Ward 3 1385 S. Robinson ...... 971-9311 1205 E. Kansas City Rd. (TDD/Voice) ...971-8563 913-269-6305 913-269-1035 [email protected] [email protected] Billing, Trash, Water & Sewer POLICE DEPARTMENT FIRE ADMINISTRATION 501 E. 56 Highway ...... 971-7500 Karin Brownlee Marge Vogt At Large 1225 S. Hamilton Circle (Non-Emergency) ....971-7900 Ward 4 HUMAN RESOURCES 913-484-3255 913-269-0625 100 E. Santa Fe ...... 971-8735 [email protected] [email protected] Printed on recyclable paper.

OlatheKS.org 3 Olathe Public Library Launches New Website

A refreshed Olathe Public Library website is now available at OlatheLibrary.org. Besides a new look, the website offers increased functionality with a mobile-friendly design, increased ease in navigation, and language translation available with one click. Questions about the new website can be directed to Sara Eccles, virtual librarian, 913-971-6832.

Get Fit with Fire Save a Life – Learn CPR If you’re bored with your current The Olathe Fire Department is offering workout, “Fit with Fire” classes more free cardiopulmonary resuscitation may be for you. These classes, (CPR) classes to the community to taught by certified firefighter provide a life-saving tool in the event instructors, take place in the of cardiac arrest. bay of Olathe Fire Station No. 1. “We have classes at the Fire Administration Building, or The workouts incorporate we’ll go to those who request CPR training,” says Fire Chief fire service movements into a Jeff DeGraffenreid. “The Fire Department has conducted high level of activity–think hands-only CPR training at libraries, City pools, pulling heavy fire hoses and and even during half-time at school games.” training dummies. Can’t make it to a class? A Family & Friends CPR Anytime “There’s always curiosity about firefighter physical training and training DVD is available for home use. The DVD training is this is a new and different way to help people meet their fitness available in English and Spanish languages. goals. Having classes at a fire station also helps participants learn In 2017, 52.6 percent of those stricken received CPR before more about what we do,” says Fire Chief Jeff DeGraffenreid. Fire and EMS arrived at the scene. The Olathe Fire Department is the first fire department in “Bottom line: our goal is to have as many people possible CPR- Johnson County to invite the community to work out with trained for the best outcome for the public,” says DeGraffenreid. firefighters. To enroll, visit OlatheKS.org/ParksRec and click on Olathe ACTIVE Registration. For more information, call 913-971-7900.

4 OlatheKS.org Indian Creek Trail Section What’s Being Built in Olathe Temporarily Closed Ace Hardware at Arbor Creek A new Ace Hardware will be constructed within Arbor Creek d a

o Village at 159th Street and Mur-Len Road to replace their existing

R Trail Closed at

b space. The more than 13,000 square foot store will be located at o Pflumm Road B

k © the 161st Street entrance, and a new tenant will occupy the c a l

B previous location within Arbor Creek.

Trail Closed Hobby Lobby

A Hobby Lobby was approved within the Alden Center 127th Street © 127th Street Development near 135th Street and Greenwood Street. The new Trail Closed at store and an additional multi-tenant space will be located between

127th Street P Prairie Life Fitness and Academy Sports. f l u m d m a o

R R

o b

Trail Closed a o d B

k

c Detour Route a l B

Indian Creek Trail, north of 127th Street and west of Pflumm Road, is closed for stormwater improvement construction through summer 2018, weather dependent. Detours are posted. Timberstone Ridge Questions may be directed to the Project Manager Neil Meredith, A single-family residential neighborhood is planned north of 913-971-9075, [email protected]. 119th Street and one-quarter mile west of K-7 Highway. The 36 large estate lots will accommodate homes starting at $1,000,000 and will feature a private park, extensive tree preservation, and A View from the Mountaintop walking trails. More than 325 people attended the 18th Annual Martin Luther Boulder Creek King, Jr. Celebration on January 14 at the Bell Cultural Events A residential neighborhood is planned south of 167th Street, Center on the MNU campus. This year’s theme, “ A View from between future Lindenwood Road and South Mur-Len Road. the Mountaintop, ” featured performances and honored student A total of 173 single-family homes and 84 villa units have been contest winners among approved, and construction has started on the next phases. the 4,300 entries from Boulder Ridge Olathe middle and high schools. A residential neighborhood is planned for 213 single-family homes and 120 villa units, for a total of 333 total dwelling units. The MLK Celebration The community will be located south of 167th Street, between encourages Olathe Ridgeview Road and future Lindenwood Road. students of all ages to promote purpose-driven service, and a society free of bullying, discrimination, and maltreatment of others based on race, gender, Shops of Sunnybrook or religious beliefs. A multi-tenant building is under construction at the southwest corner of College Boulevard and Lone Elm Road. The commercial building will contain a Fry Orthodontic Specialists office and Mohamed Farid, Chisholm Trail Middle School, won Best in Show for his multimedia entry in the 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. student contest. The additional retail or restaurant tenants. contest also included essay and visual entries.

OlatheKS.org 5 WASTE DIVERTED FROM LANDFILLS You Did It Again You achieved another record for waste diversion in 2017! “We know that Olathe residents are committed to recycling, and 34% 43.88% 44.60% 45.27% these numbers show that,” says Mary Jaeger, public works director. “With more waste diverted from the landfill this year, we are

NATIONAL OLATHE OLATHE OLATHE making a positive impact on the AVERAGE 2015 2016 2017 environment.”

6 2018 Street Preservation This year, 22 lane miles of arterial streets and 92 lane miles of local and collector streets are scheduled for resurfacing. Arterial Streets Mill and Overlay • 143rd Street, Black Bob Road to Pflumm Road • College Boulevard, Clare Road to Kansas 7 Highway Interchange • 151st Street, Mur-Len Road to Pflumm Road • Lone Elm Road, I-35 north ramps to 175th Street • Ward Cliff Drive, Lake Olathe (Full Depth Street Replacement) See 2018 street preservation locations at OlatheKS.org/StreetPreservation. Select Street Preservation Map. Adopt-A-Street, Adopt-A-Stream Volunteers Provide Valued Services With spring around the corner, now is an excellent time more information and sign up at OlatheKS.org. Select to consider organizing an Adopt-A-Street or Adopt-A- “I Want to Volunteer.” There is also a link to a map Stream volunteer group. These important volunteers showing street and stream areas available for adoption. help keep streets and streams clean. They beautify the city and help with stormwater management by keeping debris out of storm drains and local waterways. This helps reduce erosion and the potential for downstream flooding. The City provides groups with trash bags, gloves, and t-shirts for participating members. After the cleanup event, City crews pick up the trash bags and take them to the solid waste transfer station.

Those interested in adopting a street or stream can find Volunteers from Jazzercise adopted a portion of Santa Fe Street.

Recycle Unwanted Electronics Residents can recycle small electronics, less than 15 pounds each, free of charge, including:

• Cell phones • Computer monitors & printers • Computers • DVD players • Electronic cords • Scanners • Small electronics

Call 913-971-9311 to schedule an appointment one day in advance.

7 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LIN K Permit No. 323 OP.O. Boxl 7a68, Olt athhee, Kansas 66051-0768 Olathe, KS Reader Feedback Please send your comments to: Olathe Link P.O. Box 768 Olathe, KS 66051-0768 [email protected] 913-971-8700

Issues Affecting You

Your Feedback Guides Quality Services ...1 Mayor’s Message ...... 2 Olathe City Council ...... 3 Indian Creek Library Schedule ...... 4 What’s Being Built in Olathe ...... 5 Olathe Earth News ...... 6-7

OlatheConnect Look for information or submit a service request 24/7. OlatheKS.org/OlatheConnect O Receive Olathe news and updates by email or text message. Click on E-notification or the envelope icon at OlatheKS.org.

Saturday, May 5, 8 a.m. New Kids One Mile Race (ages 5-12) 8:45 a.m. Free Kids Run (ages 5 and younger) 9 a.m. Participants receive a free water bottle, t-shirt and a medal upon race completion. Sign up at Tower2Tower5K.org. April 21 - Oct. 20 Proceeds benefit Water for People, a non-profit organization, that provides clean, safe drinking water May 9 - Sept. 26 for those in countries who need it most.